The Common Runner – Week 39, 2014

Herne Hill Harriers’ M50 squad struck gold at the South of England road relay championships, while the Tooting-based club’s U13G and U13B teams finished in creditable fourth and fifth positions respectively.

Expectations were high for a strong Herne Hill M50 quartet pre-race, but Victor Maughn, Keith Newton, Mike Boyle and Gary Ironmonger lived up to their billing, finishing 35 seconds ahead of nearest challenger Barnet and District AC.

Their victory was a triumph for consistency, with only 40 seconds separating Harriers’ fastest and slowest leg runners. After Newton ran the team into the lead on leg two, it was the responsibility of Ironmonger on the final leg to secure victory. The foursome ran four of the top-14 fastest individual legs, with Boyle highest place in sixth overall. Remarkably, Tom Conlon, racing for Herne Hill in an incomplete B team, finished his leg just a second shy of Boyle.

At the other end of the age spectrum, Herne Hill’s U13 squads finished just outside the medals at Aldershot. Clarissa Nicholls, Lulu King and Lily Newton ended their challenge in the U13G event an agonising eight seconds behind the bronze medal position. The U13B team of Mohammed Ali, Toby Reynolds, Jacob Alley and Oscar Millard were fifth, despite Millard running the third fastest individual time in his age category.

Millard’s sister, Saskia, was another fast contender, with her individual time placing her sixth overall, while her U15G team was eighth, with a B team in 12th. There was also an eight place finish for Harriers’ U17B squad.

Harriers’ senior men’s squad was stronger than a previous outing in the Surrey road relays, with participation awarded by a 15th place finish of 72 teams, a position one below Blackheath and Bromley Harriers who had Scott Overall in their ranks. Chris Busaileh and Dave Mulvee were Herne Hill’s fastest individual runners, with the pair separated by just a second. Herne Hill’s senior women’s squad were 33rd, with Cathy Ansell the standout performer, clocking a time only 23 seconds slower than Jess Judd.

On Saturday, Harriers host the annual Streatham Common six-mile cross country. And one-mile fun run. Entries are available on the day, with the main race starting at 11.15am.

Jonny Muir

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